“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:8

“UGH…” I thought… “NOW what?” With the whole Hurricane Ian thing dominating EVERYONE’S life in my area, Jesus, work and sleep were the only things on my agenda. I was tired and it was Sunday. Having just preached a Jesus commanded, hard sermon to my Church people about selfishness and discipleship in dark times, I felt bad in body, soul and spirit! Then the doorbell rang!

‘Ding Dong!’ Feeling like one, I didn’t hear the sound because I was asleep on the couch. When Katie said there was someone at the door, I DID hear her and got up to answer. Standing there was a BIG strapping young man I presumed to be a salesman. Driving by, he had noticed the palm tree stump sticking out of the ground from Ian. Seeing his rig, I recognized him a stump grinder!

Supply and demand are the 2 things that run our Democracy in America. He needed money, I needed a stump ground down. Had he been selling windows, painting or insurance, I would not have been interested. But he had just what I needed! So a deal was made for $100! I went in to get the cash, he went out to fire up the stump grinder! Along the way, Jesus got in the middle!

Being a little down, I had been praying for some kind of uplift from Jesus. It was HE who demanded I preach that tough sermon. But it was ME who would catch any heat! But that’s ‘The Call.’ ‘Go, Preach, Teach, and Share the Gospel, they WILL persecute you, but get moving!’ I needed a win and asked for some joy! I could only smile when Jesus whispered… ‘you’re on!”

Going outside I was glad to find I could talk loudly and still be heard over the sound of the grinder. So I asked him, “Where you from?” “New York” he said. Which opened up other questions and prompted more answers, allowing me to get to know him a little. His brother got out of the truck and now I had 2. 20 minutes later, I made my move and asked them some Jesus questions!

“I’m a Christian and I usually give a little more than asked.” Handing him $110 and a gospel track I asked, “are you both Jesus guys and know how to get to heaven?” They confirmed that they were and did, so I said, “then read and pass that on to someone who doesn’t… and here’s the name of a guy I know who needs 4 stumps ground!” They smiled, I smiled, and so did Jesus! 25 minutes!

I had been looking for some Joy. And NOTHING gives me more joy than spending time with my Savior. I believe when I asked for some joy, He supplied it with 2 stump grinders, along with a way to serve Him. Like them, I had been needing and looking for an opportunity to get something from Jesus, Jesus supplied my need with Himself! A WIN-Win-Win!

Are YOU looking for some Jesus joy? Then Jesus is saying… “you’re on!”